Bristol: David Gilliland preview

Gilliland's First Impressions of Bristol: 'It's Breathtaking'

Statesville, N.C. (March 16, 2010) - David Gilliland and his No. 38 Taco Bell Ford team are coming off one of their strongest performances of the season two weeks ago at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team was strong all afternoon before a late-race accident collected the team.

Gilliland is now hoping for another strong run this weekend at the .533-mile Bristol Motor Speedway. He will be making his eighth start at the track and has one top-10 finish at the high-banked oval. His best finish of ninth came in this race in 2008.

Comments from Taco Bell Driver David Gilliland on his First Impressions of Bristol:

"It's really a breathtaking track. The first time I went there, ever, it was to go run a Cup race. That's not really the normal circumstances for most. I was a true rookie preparing for one of the most anticipated races of the year. It was the night race and I knew it was going to be different. It's a lot right off the bat, but that's good, too.

"I learned a lot that night. It's an awesome track, and I think I've really come a long way. I've got a ninth-place finish there and I'm comfortable now. It takes a little bit of time to get used to it, but it's not too difficult.

"I compare it to Mesa Marin, a track I raced a lot on back in California. I went and spoke to Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch, guys who had a lot of success at the track, and they said race it like you would Mesa Marin back home. It's very similar, just a lot more banking. I tell everyone that it's like being right inside a blender.

"I think the racing is better now, too, with the changes to the banking. You can go around guys. Guys can't block you. In the past you could block guys or they could block you. You'd just run the bottom, and if you wanted to pass you had no choice but to hit them. Today, you can go around them or move them up the track. I like the way the track is now. As a driver, it gives you more options. You have some fans that are critics of it, but I think we put on a better show now."

About Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing: Front Row Motorsports was formed in 2005 by restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins. Since that time the team has entered a car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2010, Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing will partner with Ford and Roush/Yates Engines to field a three-car operation based in Statesville, N.C. The team will field the No. 34 Long John Silver's Ford driven by Travis Kvapil, the No. 37 ExtenZe Ford driven by Kevin Conway, and the No. 38 Taco Bell Ford driven by David Gilliland.

-source: front row motorsports